Black Stars manager denies “Sudan boycott” rumours

06Oct

An alleged player revolt that dominated the media ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifier between the Black Stars and their Sudanese counterparts in Kumasi on Sunday has been denied.

Reports in the media quoting “sources close to the players” claim they are unhappy with the continuous delay of bonuses from the World Cup in South Africa and the last CAN qualifier against Swaziland and have thus planned a boycott of the game.

But the manager of the team, Fred Crentsil has denied the reports, admitting however that the money owed the players has to be paid.

Many Ghanaian football fans who hoped to throng the stadium and witness the home debut of Kevin Prince Boateng will be disappointed. The midfielder is out of the game following a knock from his last game for AC Milan against Parma at the Tardini at the weekend.

Already Coach Kwasi Appiah has called Ashanti Gold’s Sampson Cudjoe as a replacement for Kevin and goalkeeper Daniel Adjei has returned to the team.

Meanwhile most of the 18 foreign based players have arrived for the game with the first training session scheduled to go ahead this morning at the EL Wak Stadium.

Interim Coach Kwasi Appiah is likely to give playing time to local striker Emmanuel Clottey. The Chelsea of Bechem player replaces Mathew Amoah who was overlooked for this game. After scoring his team’s winner against King Faisal at the weekend in the GLO Premier league, Clottey’s Coach Yusif Abubakar believes his boy will impress.